How to fix iPhone error “Unable to Move Message” to Trash

January 10, 2013 UPDATE:This same fix works on the iPad mini too, or basically any iOS and IMAP email setup.

Today, I finally had an opportunity to research and resolve a pesky problem I’ve been having with my iPhone.

Here’s the problem:

When I am accessing email on my iPhone and I try to move a message to the Trash, I get an error:

After a bit of investigation, I discovered that this only happens when you are using IMAP phone settings. It doesn’t happen on POP3 email accounts.

Fix iPhone error and Remove Error Message

To Fix this iPhone error and get rid of the error message, follow these steps.

1. Go into your iPhone settings

iPhone Settings

2. Scroll down until you see “Mail, Contacts, Calendars”. Tap that section to view your email settings.

Tap iPhone Mail Settings

3. Select your email account.

4. Scroll the bottom and tap “Advanced”

Mail >> Advanced

NOTE: Some of you report that your your phone does not have the “Advanced” option. If this is the case, you need to delete your IMAP email account from your iPhone and then add it again manually. You can follow these steps to manually Add Email To Your iPhone.

5. Scroll to the bottom of this screen and tap “IMAP Path Prefix”

iPhone IMAP Prefix section

6. Type INBOX in all capital letters

NOTE: Steps vary from here depending on which version of the iPhone and iOS you are using. Look for the ‘Done’ button. Some will find this button after typing INBOX. Others find the ‘Done” button by tapping the ‘Account’ button on the top left, and then tapping ‘Done’ on the top right.

7. Press the Home button, then re-open Mail

You should now be able to move your messages to the Trash, or to any other folder on your phone.